Rise Community Action Limited Annual Report and Annual Accounts 1st December 2020- 30th November 2021 lllll *ABAR5S20* 1910812022 CLYAPANIES HOUSE 1111 #277 EGAL INFORMATION Com an 5617122 Chari Number. 1147332 al Status". Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity Address: Halkevi Community Centre 31-33 Dalston Lane London E8 3DF Broad of Directors Trustees: Farida Yiga Chair David Kakande- Treasurer Lukiya Kakembo- Secretary Dr Edwin Mavunika Mapara Amina Nalubega Ssendegeya Princi le stsffr. Janet Murungi- Coordinator {volunteerl Banker: Barclays Bank Moorgate Branch 128 Moorgate. London, EC2M 6SX Trustees. Re Rise Community Action (RCA) was developed to provide a voice for people living with HLV/AIDS and to create a bridge between seNice providers and service users who we found were not accessing available services. RCA'S work is directed at improving the quality of life for individuals who are socially excluded for a myriad of reasons. The Board of Trustees of Rise Community Action Limited {RJSE) l-the Charity") present their annual report for the year ended 30th November 2021 under the Companies Act 1985 and the Charities Act 1993, together with the independently examined financial statements for that year. Administrative Details Rise Community Action is a registered company limited by guarantee {Company No.. 5617122) and Charity No. 1147332, with its registered office is as shown on page 1. Governance and Mana ement The Charity is govemed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which were adopted on 9th May 2005. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the Charity. Trustees are either elected or co-opted and the total number of Trustees may not be fewer than three and cannot exceed seven. A co- opted member may retain office only until the nextAnnual General Meeting {AGM) and shall then be eligible for re-election. Effertive partnership between Trustees and staff continues to contribute significantly to our success. Ob'ects and Princi l Activities The Charity's objert is for the advancement of education, the relief of poverty and sickness, and the preservation and protection of good health of women and their families. especially persons from BME. Refugee and Asylum seekers communities, and any other person who need assistsnce. (a) The provision or assistance in the provision of facilities in the interest of social welfare. Our vision is a world where everyone is given the best possible opportunities in life and where a medical condition is not a barrier to an individual ability to grasp opportunities and achieve personal fulfilment Our strategic aim is to achieve this by providing high quality services that is intended to have a practical and positive effect on the lives of those affected with HIV and their families. Our Aims To create awareness on issues su￿Ound1ng HDI/AIDS and reduce HIV - related stigma in the community To reduce isolation suffered by HIV positive people and promote their social inclusion. To better inform service providers on the needs of people living with HIV thus improve the quality of care To empower our users to make infomied choices on access to services and their lives in general. To improve the quality of lives of individuals afferted by HIV. FGM or Domestic Violence. Rise Community Action (RCA) was developed to provide a voice for people living with HIVIAIDS and to create a bridge between seNice providers and seNice users who we found were not accessing available services. Our first project provided care and support for individuals living with HDJ. RCA services have been extended over the years to include providing, support service and activities for individuals affected by Domestic Violence and FGM advocacy and empowerment sessions and sexual health promotion activities. What W Do RCA activities focus on addressing the issues of Domestic Violence and Female Genital Mutilation IFGM). We are currently supporting a growing number of indiwduals, Mctims of Domestic Violence and survivors of FGM. As well as addressing these two very serious issues we are tasked with raising awareness of the effects of domestic violence and FGM in the wider community. Initially established to provide information, care and support for women INing with HIV/AIDS in London, RCA has been unfaltering in raising awareness on issues surrounding HIV/AtDS by running workshops. delivering presentations and staging community events and educating the community aboutthe spread of HIV. RCA has been responsive to the needs of the community and its activities since it first started project have been targeted at reducing thedamage being doneto its target community. Financi RCA is constantly developing new projects to address identified needs both new and establish needs. The management believe it is important that RCA continues to employ paid staff to better address the level of need present in our delivery area. If RCA fails to grow to a point where its infrastructure is not robust enough we are conscious that RCA will have to tske radical action to ensure that it never have to turn beneficiaries away. RCA has been reliant on volunteers, chief among the volunteer have been its volunteer coordinator who continues to perform beyond all expectations and continues to work to ensure we can extend our activities across London by establishing strategic partnership with organisations that seek to impact on similar areas of need. RCA funders for the year were the Big Lottery from the previous year, City and Hackney NHS, African Health Policy Network and HCVS Hackney Giving , thanks for your support and belief in the documented evidence of need. Funder5 Life on the edge is very scary and the past two years has seen changes brought on by the pandemic that has engendered levels of insecurity that have had far reaching impact on individual's mental and physical wellbeing. Most action has driven changes out of the necessity for safety and the avoidance of catching the virus, Covid 19 has been a game changer for all. Unfortunately. the acrimony that has emerged from the Brexit process has been far reaching and its effects remains unrelenting and totally devoid of compassion for the poor. As a direct effect small organisations are being increasingly marginalised, impacting negatively on their operation leaving an alarming number of people without a support network and in a city as soulless as London the consequences are very visible. RCA continues to work in partnership with a number of local agencies and charities to ensure that our client group 15 serviced. these relationships have been central to delivering a number o* projects. We have continued to perform an unusual role as the administrator of CAN'S (Community African Network) Bowel cancer project. A project funded by City &Hackney CCG which meant that this year £27.650 was received on behalf of CAN. As the receiving organisation this was then paid to CAN in our accounts this figure is represent as part of the organisation's total unrestrirted income and is represent in the spending under the section. artivities in the furtherance of the Charity's objects. Mana ement and Administration The resources expended on administration totalled £3,263 during the year. This represents 6.1% of the total resources received a level of expenditure that the Trustees consider to be appropriate for the charty. These figure means that we are keeping a firm grip on our administration and management costs and this continues to allow us to direct a much greater percentage of our resources to assisting our beneficiaries. Materia ible Incomin A number of professionals gave their time as volunteers. As there is no financial cost to any third party, this intangible income has not been included in the Statement of Financial Activities but we put a value on it in excess of £48,000 annually. Activities This report communicates the value of RCA, and it will we hope strike a chord and inspire you and other to join us in trying to make difference in the lives of those most in need. RCA is driven by the ambition to bring some solace to those affected by Domestic Violence and FGM. We are happy that we have witnessed real changes in the lives of victims. RCA continue to work in partnership with other local charities as we try to maximise the reach of RCA in the face of ever decreasing resources a situation which was very evident as we existed in the middle of a pandemic which claim nearly one hundred thousand lives. Pro ects Quick-thinking and adaptability has made RCA a critical force throughout the pandemic. RCA ability to respond to extraordinary crises like Covid-19 should not go underestimated or ignored for it is clear that this charity is more responsive than we had imagined as we have never been tested in manner. We continue to try and fostered a constructive relationship with statutory organisations. RCA continue to step to the plate when the local authority resources overstretched, and our collaboration is becoming one of the great positives in these times. Post-covid. RCA clearly requires a seat at the tsble, and committed support from the public sector will be more important than ever. We are conscious that RCA is in danger of being driven out of operation as by their larger charities attract all of the funding as micro charities of RCA nature are not seen at corporate level as being of any value yet it is clear the case that this view is contrary to that of the increasing number of clients we service. Our Covid-19 response project the FFENA Project carried over into this year as the funds were not spent so we continued to deliver sessions aimed at reducing this social isolation and improving mental well-being of BME women affected by Domestic Abuse and Female genitsl mutilation or HIV by providing: Emotional support- online support in the form of remotelonline services (e.g. zoom calls) Practical Support -Provide specific African food and essential hygiene items. We purchase and suppty food and hygiene items to our users {especially those with no recourse to public funds). The project was delivered by a paid sessional worker and trained volunteers to maintain contact with our clients who are suffering isolation and mental distress. The project supported women affected by DV, FGM or HIV who were experiencing disproportionate challenges and difficulty as a result of COVtD 19 due to their health issues and the nature of the circumstances. These women were already suffering mental health and physical difficulty but lockdown and COVID 19 made it more challenging. Domestic Abuse continues to increase and the lack of culturally appropriate support is worrwng. African women already have to address multiple issues ranging from language barrier. unemployment no recourse to public funds. leaving them dependent on their abusers. The current financial climate makes it difficult for our client group. Most of these women cannot afford basics and mostly depend on food banks. FGM continues to be central to RCA activities and addressing its harmful effects, on individuals and communities the project facilitates dialogue through outreach activities delivered by anti-FGM champions. Much of the work is conducted in covert manner as the victims we are still in need of support which cannot be delivered. We are working to encourage the community to tske a stronger stance against FGM and they are starting to voice their objection publicly about the ills of FGM. This year we had new projects Mbele Mbele and KAKOKO COVID information proje(t The uptake of the Covid vaccine was very slow in the African community. we had to be proactive in our efforts to keep members of our community alive. We had to get past the existing scepticism in the community and get individuals to realise that the Vaccine what the bet approach to avoid the ravages of Covid. The solution was to educate the community and for us the project KAKOKO COVID was the best solution. Test and Trace written materials were translated to Swahili and adapted for East African community in Hackney. Translated adapted materials and circulated by volunteers through established outreach routes and partners Adapted content was developed and posted on RCA website and social , rnedia ie tweets. Rise disseminated Government information on the Test and Trace programme through volunteers and telephone calls. Government info was distributed through RCA social media and other channels. The take up was excellent and we had large numbers getting the vaccine. Mbele Mbele was developed to. Reduce social isolation and improve the mental wellbeing of refugee and migrant BAME women during the Covid-19 response and recovery period Reduce the digital divide and help vulnerable BAME to access essential services online Increase the capacity of our organisation to be able to support our setvice users remotely in the longer term This project we funded by African Health Policy Network IAHPNI a new funder to charity The activities were condition by our new working methodology, Emotional support - online one to one sessions in the form of remote/online services (e.g. Zoom and What's app calls). Practical Support-Provided zoom lessons to both volunteers and users so that their capacity increase and meant they had the confidence to use the "new normal "technology way of accessing services. Women's confidence and skills increase and we were amaze at their ability use these digital tools. They were able utilise these tools to access support networks while safeguard their mental health and wellbeing. Digital Connertivity helped to enhance and developed digital channels that permitted us to manage the new way of working and supporting our users remotely. Condom Distribution Scheme RCA condom distribution scheme continues and has become a fixture in the charities annual activities it provides free condoms and information on sexual health and where to go for HIV testing/sexual health screening to the African Community and register them on the Free Condom Scheme by issuing them card which allows them to collect more free condoms from pharmacies and other collection points when and where there is need for them. The scheme has increased uptake of HIV testing and has been instrumental in encouraging condom usage among individuals from Hackney's African Communities. The scheme is funded by Hackney Council (Public Health) administered by Community African Network. Signposting Project One of the key roles of a community base charity is for those with the knowledge to share it with those that do not possess the knowledge and this how grass roots engagement grows. In RCA this sharing of information is done through our a drop-in service once a week on a setdayat a permanentlyaccessible venuewith a dedicated staff member and two volunteers to provide information and signposting to clients. This service is free, friendly, confidential, and independenL Delivered through, 1 to 1 meetings, telephone, or email contacts, we provide information to clients about where to get help in relation to health. social care or personal wellbeing. Issues identified beyond our scope are referred to appropriate advice agencies. We communicate with individual clients in languages that they are comfortable in communicating in. We believe operating the signposting service this way makes it easily accessible and less intimidating or stigmatising to the hard-to-reach individuals of our community. They are able to communicate in a language that they understand thereby overcoming some of the barriers they face in accessing seNices. Our project is a gateway to service providers and a way to identify clients, needs and help them to access services or resources to meet their identified needs. Thank you All We began thisyear like we dowith every year wondering if wewill attract the funds to get to the end of the year. The good news is we made it to the end of the year. The Trustees would like to express their gratitude to the beneficiaries, volunteers and casual users, to all those who continue to help RCA to deliver its. services, and especially to the inspirational work of our volunteer coordinator continues to define our activities and enhance our reputation by setting a level of community engagement and seNice not equalled in the borough. We are so please that all of our volunteers follow her lead. This allows us to continue extending the range of services provided to our growing number of users. RCA will continue to work tirelessly post the pandemic to ensure we can extend our activities and will be open to all in the city- Thank you. Chair.- Farida Yiga Signature. 12 10712022 Directors, Responsibilities Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the charitsble company and the surplus or deficit for that period. tn preparing these statements. the Directors are required to: Select suitable accounting policles and then apply them consistently; Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudenL State whether applicable Accounting Stsndards have been followed. subject to any material departures disdosed and explained in the financial statements: and prepare the finanaal statements on the golng concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the cOmpa￿Y will continue in operation. The Directors are responsible for maintaining proper accounfins records that disdose with reasonable accuracy at any time the finaJKthl position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other I￿egUlaTItie$. Inde endent Examiner Re ort For the Year ended 30th November 2021 I report on the accounts of Rise Community Action Limited for the year ended 30th November 2021, which are set out on the following pages. Respertive responsibilities of trustees and examiner The trustees (who are also directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 43 (2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Art) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not suLry'ect to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 43 of the 1933 Act" to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 43(7)Ib) of the 1993 Act); and to state whether matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was Ca￿led out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a review of the accounting records kept by the chaxity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and the seekins of explanations from you as trustees concernins any such matters. The pr¢xedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and. consequently. no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below: Independent examinerfs statenient In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that. in any material respect. the requirements (a) to keep accounting records in accordan￿ with 386 of the Companies Act 2￿6. and Ib) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting Tecords and to comply with the accountlng requirements of the Companies Act 21M)6 and the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (revised 2005) have not been met: or to which. in my opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. J N Beugren Accountants 5 Stuart Place. St. Albans. ALI IAU 26/06/2022 Rise Communi Action Limited Income 8t Ex nditure Account ststement of Financial Artivities for the ear ended 30th November 2020- Total Incomin Resources Unrestricted Restricted 2021 Total Note 45,210 Grants, Awards, 45,033 45,033 Donations Generated Income 1.000 1.000 Other 540 540 54,920 Total Income 46,033 46,573 Resources Ex ended Cost of generating funds 51,593 Activities in the fvrtherance 50,009 of the Charity's objects 2952 Management & Administration 3,263 54,545 Total outgoing resources 53,272 53,272 375 Net surplus/deficit Balance brought forward Balance carried forward 540 (7,2391 (7,779) 9,552 190 9,362 9,516 9,927 730 2,123 2.853 202 2020 Intangible Asse15 Tangible Assets Total Fixed Assets 1.954 1.954 3.954 3,954 Debtors Cash ai bank Toial cul￿nI Assets 9.927 11.881 2.853 &807 Crediior Assets le55 liabifity 6.807 Represented by- 11.881 UnIr￿*￿ed. Free feser¥ek Filed Ass￿& 807 954 6.807 Toul unrellrirted lunds Restricted funds 730 6.077 6.807 11.691 For the year w￿109 30rh NcAYmber 2Q21 thecompaThy was eniiileo io exempiio* lits atrtht ￿nder seaion 47701 the Ccdnpafiio5 Ati 2(￿ retstin9 io small coMpèThe The members have not requrfed Ihe ia obtain an audbt ol its aC￿￿ts lor the year in guesiion in xcordètsce wtih se(¢icn 47 The thiet¢orsackno*fjedge their responsibiliti￿ for comthn9 wilh the requirements 91 the A9￿d on ihelf tsehall Trea*irer- Oèv#l Kaka - Sb9naiur*. 12 10712022. I. ACCOUNTING pouaES lal BASIS OF ACCOUNTING The financial staiements are prepared under the historical coll convention. They comply with the Charity Commission's Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting by Charities ISORP 20051 and all applicable kcounting and Financial REPORTING STANDARDS Ib) INCOMING RESOURCES General donations. legacies and subscriptions ore brought into account V4hen recelved. Donations and grants given for spÈtific wrposès are trèated as income in thè yèar of receipt. Unspent restricted income is included under restriued funds as it is fulty committed. Icl RESOURCES EXPENDED The resouices used are cla55ified under the charitys furKtional categories of expenditure rather than the type of expense in order to provide more useful inforniation. Resources expended in each fvr￿1onal category comprise dirert expenditure including dirert staff costs attri&wJtable to ihe aCt￿lty. Where costs cannot.bè dirÈdly attributed they have been allocated to aCti￿tieS based on time spent by staff on those actiwties. Idl TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPREaATION Tangible fixed assets are included at cosf Depreciation is calculated annualty at 25% .lel OPERATING LEASES Operating lease rentals are charged to the income and expenditure account as they b￿Ome due. Ifj FUND ACCOUNTING General funds comprise the zccumulated 5urplu5 or deficit on the income and expenditure account. They are available for use at the discrelh)n of the Directors in furtheratKe of the general objectives of the company_ Restricted funds are funds wbject to specific restricted conditions imposed by donors. Igl EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES Expenditure is allocated to one of three funrtional categories that ieflect the Charitab￿ aaivities ol the company.. Cost ol generating funds Attiwties in the furtherance of the Charity's objects Management and Administration Rise Commun Action Limited rants Donations & Ex enditure Anal sis 2. Grants. Donation and fees . 2020 Sources Unrestricted Restricted 2021 Total Total City and Hackney NHS CCG 27,750. 27,650. 27.650. 10,000 450 Community Funding 2,299 2,299 HCVS Hackney Giving HCVS condom 10,000 10.000 398 584 2,084 AHPN 4,500 4,500 3,358 10,880 Generated income 1,000 1000 other 540 540 54,920 Total 540 46.033 46,573 2020 Resources ex ended: 2021 Fundraising and training Activities for Beneficiaries (including Salaries, Rent, Volunleer cost) 50,CQ9" Support and advice Management and Administration 3.263 54,545 Total 53,272 *£27,650 of this income was recewedon behamof CAN {Commun•tyAfrican Ivetwork) for Its Bowelcancerproject ** £27.650 ￿ for lundspaid to CAN {CommunityAlncan Network) whKh was recewedforits Bowelcancerpmiert